Cloth spreader accessory for sewing machine



Jan. 12, 1965 s. L. MITCHELL 3,165,311

CLOTH SPREADER ACCESSORY FOR SEWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 50/1/64 [6.57616 J/lfQ/flz.

BY 3M I Jan. 12, 1965 s. L. MITCHELL CLOTH SPREADER ACCESSORY FOR SEWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1962 FIG. 2

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Jan. 12, 1965 s. MITCHELL CLOTH SPREADER ACCESSORY FOR SEWING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 21, 1962 R m w m A Tree/V6345 United States Patent O 3,165,311 CLOTH SPREADER ACCESSORY FOR SEWING MACHINE Samuel Lester Mitchell, Trumbull, Comp, assignoi: t

Mitcheil Bros., Incorporated, Bridgeport, Couu., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Aug. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 225,404 4 Claims. (Cl. 270-79) This invention relates to an improved accessory machine for use in conjunction with a sewing machine to facilitate a number of storage and feeding operations. In particular, the invention relates to an improved machine for use in conjunction with the sewing of long lengths of narrow band fabrics, such as laces and trimmings, for such applications as the folding of such fabrics,'the pulling of such fabrics through the sewing machine and the winding and unwinding of rolls of fabric to be used at the particular station at which the sewing operations are taking place.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with a number of fixed station sewing operations, for the purpose of reducing the amount of labor required.

By way of example, and without limitation thereto, it is common to treat rolls of narrow band fabrics at a sewing station, for example by hemming the fabrics or by applying lace or other trimmings to the fabrics. In such case, the fabric being sewn is fed from the rolls under the needle of the sewing machine and is then allowed to drop down to be stored behind the machine. It is then common to have to perform further operations on the fabric, for example to join it to a large panel of fabric. In that case, it is necessary to draw the narrow band fabric from the box or other container in which it is stored, While it is being sewn or otherwise treated. In practice, it has been found that the fabric frequently becomes entangled, and considerable time is wasted in untangling the fabric.

Other problems are faced at such fixed stations. For example, in certain instances it is necessary to unwind a roll of lace and then to rewind it, so as to reverse the orientation thereof. Such operations commonly have had to be done by hand, which has been extremely time-consuming and again frequently has resulted in tangling of the lace or other materials as it has been drawn back out of the receptacle and rewound.

Another problem presented in sewing operations of this type is that frequently trimming in the form of ruflles is to be applied to the narrow band fabric, and frequently it is diiiicult to feed this fabric properly in the existing sewing machine.

One object of the invention is to provide an accessory machine which is at least semi-portable and which can be removably located behind the sewing machine for use in performance of operations to meet the problems set forth above, as well as other problems presented in fixed station sewing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory machine which will automatically fold or ship-lap is completely independent, mechanically, of the sewing machine, except for an optional incorporation of a control switch in the foot treadle commonly used by the operator. In other words, in accordance with the invention, the only change in the existing sewing machine is to substitute a foot treadle having an additional set of switch contacts for the foot treadle presently inuse.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory machine which will automatically fold or ship-lap narrow band fabric as it is being fed from a sewing machine after a sewing operation has been performed upon the fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory which, in addition to folding or ship-lapping the fabric, also serves as a puller for the fabric as it is being fed through the sewing machine.

'Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory machine, as above described, which, in addition to its normal functions, can be used to wind and unwind rolls of narrow band fabrics, lace, trimmings or the like.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a spreader for cloth which is friction-fed longitudinally rearwardly by means of a sewing machine, this spreader consisting of a frame adapted to be removably mounted upon the rear of the sewing machine. The spreader further comprises a lateral first roller mounted upon the frame positioned for the cloth being treated to extend over and drop behind such first roller. In accordance with the invention, a carriage is mounted on the frame for longitudinal reciprocating movement forwardly and rearwardly of the first roller between extreme positions. The first roller is longitudinally centered between the extremes of movement of the carriage.

Draw rollers are mounted on the carriage positioned so that the cloth dropping behind the first roller extends frictionally between the draw rollers, one of which can optionally be an idler roller. The cloth is drawn by the draw rollers to a support such as a box below them, during reciprocation of the carriage; and this cloth is lapped.

Further in accordance with the invention, independent means are provided respectively for driving the carriage and for driving the draw rollers. These independent drive means may be activated either individually or jointly. The means for driving the draw rollers is adjustable so as to draw the cloth at varying speeds and pressures including speeds and pressures such as to override the sewing machine friction feed.

In one operation, the draw rollers and the carriage are operated together, so as to providefor lapping of the fabric. By reason of the independent operations of the carriage and of the draw rollers, the speed of the carriage can optionally be adjusted, for example to synchronize with the speed of travel of the cloth, so as to control the manner in which the fabric is folded or lapped. In the event that lace is to be unwound, if it is not necessary to fold it, the carriage can remain stationary. By means of an auxiliary spindle, it is possible to use the apparatus to rewind lace.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction With the annexed drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, partly in side elevation, of the improved accessory machine showing it mounted on the rear of a table upon which a conventional sewing machine is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the accessory machine shown in FIG. 1, the sewing table being omitted.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section, to enlarged scale, on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the carriage drive means.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the means for reciprocally driving the carriage.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control circuit for the accessory machine.

Upon reference to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that FIG. 1 shows a table 10 having a front 1ateral edge 10a and a rear lateral edge 10b, supported by means of stand 11 upon floor 12a. The table 10 and stand 11 are conventional and are not shown in detail. A conventional sewing machine 12, also not described in detail, is mounted upon the top of table and includes the usual needle 13 which may be reciprocated in conventional sewing operations. from roll 14a mounted on brackets 14b on top oftable 10, passes under the needle 13 and under the usual presser foot 2. Sewing machine 12 may have any conventional feed dogs 2a or the like (not shown in detail) for feeding the fabric 14 rearwardly during the reciprocation of needle 13 during the sewing operation. Foot treadle 85 on floor 12a in front of stand 11 controls the operation of sewing machine 12 conventionally (by means not shown).

The accessory machine in accordance with this invention comprises a pair of laterally spaced, vertically extending legs in the form of angle irons 15 which adjust to rest .upon floor. 12a. Said angle iron 15 has a side flange 15a and a rear flange 15b. The vertical flanges 16a of longitudinal angle irons 16 are connected at their rear ends respectively to flanges 15a substantially below the tops thereof. The accessory machine further comprises a pair of front vertical legs in the form of angle irons 17; Each leg 17 has a side flange 17a and a front flange 17b. Each flange 16a is secured at its front end to a respective side leg flange 17a slightly below the top thereof. Legs 17 are connected by a lateral angle bar 18. This angle bar 18 has a vertical flange 18a which is connected to the fronts of the angle bar flanges 17b somewhat below the top thereof. Angle bar 18 has a horizontal flange 18b which is adapted to be placed upon the top of table 10 so as to locate the accessory machine in place and to support the front thereof. Angle bar flange 18b may be releasably secured to the top of table 10 by any suitable means (not shown).

The bottom ends of legs 17 are spaced substantially above floor 12a. The bottom ends of legs 17 are connected by respective lower side angle bars 19 to respective rear angle bars 15. Specifically, each angle bar 19 has a vertical side flange 19a which is respectively fixed to angle bar flanges 17a'and 15a, and a bottom. horizontal angle bar flange 19b. Diagonal strengthening brace 20 may be secured to the respective flanges 15a and 19a.

The accessory machine is further provided with horizonal, longitudinally extending side tracks 21. Each said side track 21 has an upper wall 22, parallel depending side walls 23 and laterally spaced rails 24 extending inwardly from the lower ends of walls 23. These rails 24 are upwardly convex so as to be suitable for re ception of wheels. The rear end of eachtrack 21 is secured to a respective angle flange 15b by means of lateral angle 25, which'has a vertical flange 25a secured to flanges 15b and a horizontal flange 25b to which track 21 is securedby bolts 26 in any suitable way, not shown in detail. Similarly, an angle bracket 27 is fixed to the front angle flange 17b and in turn has the front end of track 21 secured a horizontal portion thereof by means of bolts 28, in a manner not shown in detail. Tracks 21 are located just inwardly of the horizontal flanges 16b of angles 16 (flanges 15b and 17b being wider than flanges 16b). I

A lateral shaft 29 is journalled at its ends in respective bearings 30 which are mounted by any suitable means on top of track walls 22. First lateral roller 31 is mounted upon shaft 29 so as to turn in unison therewith. Roller 31 is only slightly elevated above the level of the top of table 10. Fabric 14 fed rearwardly by sewing machine 12 may extend over and fall behind said first lateral roller 31.

A carriage 9 is mounted on the frame for longitudinal reciprocating movement forwardly and rearwardly of first roller 31 between extreme positions. This carriage includes on each side a pair of vertical plates 32. Each plate 32 has front and rear bearings 33 through each The fabric 14 tobe sewn,

of which lateral shaft 34 extends turnably; Wheels 35 are mounted on the extremities of each shaft 34 and are received within the interior space of track 21, riding turnably upon the respective rails 24, as shown in detail in FIG. 3. A vertical hangershaft 36 is fixed to'the center of each plate 32 and extends downwardly therefrom. Each shaft 36 is fixed by adjustable means 37 to the frame of carriage 9.

The frame of carriage 9 (FIG. 6 and other views) in eludes a pair of laterally spaced, open-ended boxes 65 each having parallel inner and outer sides 65a and 65b, bottom 65c and top 65d. Carriage front lateral angle iron 66 has a top flange 66a overlying and connected to the two tops 65d and front flange 66b connected to the front edges of the respective sides 65a and 65b. Carriage rear lateral angle iron 67 has top flange 67a overlying and connected to the two tops 65d and rear flange 67b connected to the rear edges of the respective sides 65a and 65b. Each shaft 36 is attached to and supports a. respective top 65d, so that carriage 9 is suspended on each side, at two points, from a respective track '21.

. Lateral shaft 39 extends turnably through the respective sides 65a and 65b of the respective boxes 65 (FIG. 5). Driving draw roller 41 is mounted on shaft 39 between sides 65a. Gear43 within one box 65 is mounted on shaft 39 and meshes with gear 45 on lateral shaft 44 journaled within said box 65. Shaft 44 extends outwardly through side 65b and is the driven shaft of motor 46 fixedly mounted on box 65 by means of bracket plate 65e.

As shown in FIG. 5, blocks 68am fixed to the inner faces of sides 650. Each block 68 has a longitudinal bore 68a. Lateral shaft 40 carrying draw idler roller 42 is located in front of roller 41 and has collars 70 fixedly mounted on its outer ends. Each collar 79 is attached by bracket 71 to outwardly extending lateral plate 72. The outer end of plate 72 is bent forwardly at 72a and then flanged outwardly at 72b. Longitudinal screw 73 extends slidably into bore 68a and is screwed at its front end through a threaded hole of flange 72b.- Nut 73a is screwed onto screw 73 behind flange 72b. Spring around screw 73 bears at its rear against flange 68a and at its front on nuts 74a and, 74 screwed onto screw 73 in front of and spaced from flange 72 b. Spring 75 urges roller 42 against roller 41. The pressure of spring 75 can be adjusted by turning nuts 74 and 74a.

Any other suitable ,idler roller pressure means may be employed. 7 V

In order to reciprocatethe carriage (see the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 4), front and rear lateral stub shafts 47a and 47 are journaled in bearings 48 which are fixedly mounted upon the respective angles 19. Each said shaft 47 and 47a carries sprocket 49. The sprockets 49 mounted on eachangle 19 are coupled by a conventional longitudinally extending band in the form of chain 50. As shown in FIG. '7, successive chain elements 50a are connected to link 50b by lateral rivets 590. One link 500 is extended laterally inwardly and enlarged in diameter to form shaft 52a. The inner end of shaft 52a turnably carries in bronze pulley 52. Each element 65 carries on its bottom 650 a depending U-shaped member 51 (FIGS. 1 and 6) having parallel, longitudinally aligned vertical arms 51a which cross the lower run of chain 50 and lower'bight 51b Pulley 52 extends slidably between legs 51. It will be apparent that the rotation of chain 50 causes, the arms 51a on each side to carry the respective pulleys 52 and hence cause transport of carriage 9. As eachroller 52 moves around. a sprocket wheel 49 between parallel horizontal longitudinal runs of the chain 50, 'it moves upwardly or downwardly, as the case may be, between the legs 51a. Accordingly, the rotation of the chain causes reciprocating movement 'of the carriage between end positions defined by the sprockets 49. The first lateral roller 31 is longitudinally centered between the extremes of movement of the carriage.

The cloth 14 dropping behind roller 31 may be extended frictionally between the draw rollers 41 and 42, the direction of turning of which is such as to draw the fabric 14 downwardly. A box or other support 53 may be mounted on floor 12a behind stand 11 and under carriage 9. Fabric 14 drawn by the rollers 41 and 42 falls into the box 53 and is lapped into successive folds as theresult of the reciprocation of the carriage.

Any suitable means may be provided for driving the chains 50. In the construction shown in the drawing, motor 55 is fixed to the lower face of angle flange 19b, by means of bracket 55a. The lateral driven shaft 56 of motor 55 carries sprocket 57. Sprocket 57 is coupled by chain 58 to a further sprocket wheel 59 mounted upon shaft 60. Shaft 60 is journaled, by any suitable means, between the angle flanges 17a. Shaft 60 carries sprocket wheels 61 inwardly of sprockets 49. Each sprocket wheel 61 is coupled by chain 62 to a further sprocket wheel 63 mounted upon a respective shaft 47a.

As shown in FIG. 4, as viewed looking toward the output end of motor 55, shaft 56 is turned in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 76a. Shaft 60 also turns in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 76b. Shafts 47a turn in the counterclockwise direction of arrows 76c. Chains 50 turn inthe counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrows 76d. Accordingly, the upper runs of chains 50 move rearwardlyin the direction of arrows 76c, and the lower runs move forwardly in the direction of arrows 76 An appropriate electric circuit, shown in FIG. 8, is provided so that carriage motor 55 and roller motor 46 may be operated simultaneously or one without the other, depending upon the desired operating condition. As shown in FIG. 8, lines 80 and 81 have respective input terminals 80a and 81a adapted to be connected to any suitable alternating current power source, such as 120, volts, 60 cycles. Line 80 is connected through fuse 82 to one side of the primary coil 83 of variable transformer 84. Line 81 is connected through normally open switch 85a to the other side of the primary coil 83.

Switch 85a is controlled by sewing machine foot treadle 85. When treadle 85 is depressed from its normal position, switch 85a is closed. At the same time, treadle 85 controls the movable contact 85b of rheostat coil 850. Contact 85b and one end of rheostat coil 850 are connected to the sewing machine motor, with the rheostat serving as the sewing as the sewing machine speed control. Any suitable treadle-operated speed control can be used.

Switches 86 and 87 are connected in series with each other and in parallel with switch 85a, with switch 86 proximate to terminal 81a and switch 87 proximate to coil 83. Line 80 is connected by line 88 to one side of the primary coil 89 of variable transformer 90. The junction between switches 86 and 87 is connected by line 92 to the other side of primary coil 89. Switches 86 and 87 are ordinary on-oif toggle switches or the like.

The secondary coil 93 of transformer 90 is connected through fuse 94 to the terminals of roller motor 46. The secondary coil 95 of transformer 84 is connected through fuse 96 to the input terminals 97a and 97b of full wave rectifier 97. The output terminals 97d and 970 of rectifier 97 are connected to the respective terminals of carriage motor 55, this being a direct current motor. Rectifier 97 comprises diodes 97d. Transformers 90 and 84 may be conventionally adjustable so as to adjust the speed of the respective motors 46 and 55.

In the operation of the machine, the fabric 14 is fed through the sewing machine station, in conventional manner, and hence over and behind roller. 31 and between the draw rollers 41 and 42. Main switch 86 is closed, so as to supply current to the roller motor 46, whereby the rollers operate. When the operator depresses foot 6 treadle 85, switch a is closed, so that power is supplied to carriage motor 55. At the same time, sewing machine 12 operates, and feed dogs 2a advance fabric 14 (the rollers slip on the fabric when the fabric is not being advanced by feed dog 2a). As a result, the carriage reciprocates relative tothe roller 31, while the fabric is being drawn by rollers 41 and 42 and deposited in box 53. Accordingly, the fabric is folded back and forth. The relative speed of the rollers and the carriage will determine the precise manner in which the folds are formed, and ordinarily the folds need not be precisely formed and may be lapped, as long as the fabric is reasonably evenly laid out.

Ordinarily, the roller motor speed is adjusted so that the rollers turn at a rate suflicient totransport the fabric at a linear rate greater than its speed of travel past the sewing machine by reason the feed dogs of the sewing machine. Under ordinary conditions, the pressure of idler roller 42 is adjusted, so that there is slippage between the rollers and the fabric, to prevent undue pulling upon the fabric as it goes through the sewing machine station. In the event that the feed of the sewing machine is inadequate, for example, in the application of ruflles to fabric, the pressure of idler roller 42 may be increased, so that the draw rollers serve as the main propellant force drawing the fabric through the sewing machine, overriding the action of the friction dogs.

In certain instances, it is desirable only to utilize the rollers 41 and 42, in which case, only switch 86 is closed. This may occur, for example, when it is desired to unroll fabric without folding it.

In certain other instances, it is desirable to operate the carriage and the draw rollers independently of the sewing machine treadle switch 85a. In that case, both switches 86 and 87 are closed, whereby the roller motor 46 and carriage motor 55 are both energized. This may be the condition, for example, wherein it is desired to unroll fabric from the roll, and at the same time to form it into folds. Such fabric may be received from the roll 14a in front of the sewing machine, or may be received from a fabric roll 65 mounted upon shaft 66 received in respective slots 67 in the tops of angle flanges 15a. Fabric from roll 65 may be'extended between the draw rollers, which can be operated either separately or in conjunction with the'carriage.

It will be apparent that the rewinding of lace, shaft 66 may have a bobbin mounted thereon to receive fabric, and may be turned in the proper direction for winding of fabric, either by hand or by any suitable drive means, which may be independent of the drive means previously described or coupled by suitable clutch means to one of the drive means previously described.

Any other independent drive means for the draw rollers and for the carriage may be provided, which may optionally be coupled to a common source of power, for example, by independent clutches.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a relatively simple, yet versatile accessory for use in fixed sewing machine stations, particularly in the sewing of narrow band fabrics, such as laces and trimmings. The apparatus in accordance with the invention is adaptable to a wide range of operations commonly encountered at such sewing stations.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be ap parent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Spreader for cloth friction fed longitudinally rearwardly by a sewing machine, said spreader comprising a frame adapted to be located behind said sewing machine, a lateral first roller mounted on said frame positioned for the cloth to extend against and behind said first roller,

, a carriage mounted on said frame for-longitudinal reciprocating movement forwardly. and rearwardly of said first roller between extreme positions, said first roller being longitudinally centered between the extremes of movement of said carriage, lateral draw rollers, meansmountingsaid draw rollers on said carriage positioned for the cloth passing behind said first roller to extend frictionally between said draw rollers so that cloth drawn by said draw rollers to a support below them during reciprocation of said carriage is lapped said means mounting said draw rollers including pressure means pressing one draw roller against the other so as to draw said cloth. frictionally therebetween and adjustable so as to vary the pressure between the rollers, means for driving said carriage, adjustable means for driving said draw rollers at selected speeds, said respective drive means being independent of each other, and means for activating said respective driving means either indivdually or jointly, the pressure between said rollers and the means for driving said draw rollers being respectively adjustable to draw said cloth at varying speeds and tension including speeds and pressures to override the sewing machine friction'feed.

2. Spreader for cloth friction fed longitudinally rearwardly by a sewing machinecontrolled by a foot treadle, said spreader comprising a 'frame adapted to be located behind said sewing machine, a lateral first roller mounted on said'frame positioned for the cloth to extend over and drop behindsaid first roller, a carriage mounted onv said frame below said first roller for longitudinal reciprocating movement forwardly-and rearwardly of said first roller between extreme positions, lateral draw rollers for i roller motoridriving said rollers, and an electric control circuit for said' motors, said electric circuit comprising a normally open foot treadle switch 'adapted'tobe coupled to said foot treadle for actuation thereby, first and second toggle switches in series and connected across the contacts of said foottreadle switch, a voltage supply for said carriage motor connected in serieswith the series parallel combination of said switchesso that selective closing of said foot treadle switch on'the one hand and, said toggle switches on the other hand causes actuation of said. carriage motor, and a voltage supply for said roller motor connected in series with said first switch so that closing of said first switch causes actuation of said roller motor.

3. Spreader according to claim 2; said spreader also having means for rotatably supporting a roll of fabric independently of said sewing machine.-

4. Spreader according to claim 2, said first rollerbeing longitudinally centered between theextremes of movement of said carriage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,971,244 Folleret al Feb. 14, 196i 

1. SPREADER FOR CLOTH FRICTION FED LONTIFUINALLY REARWARDLY BY A SEWING MACHINE, SAID SPREADER COMPRISING A FRAME ADAPTED TO BE LOCATED BEHIND SAID SEWING MACHINE, A LATERAL FIRST ROLLER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME POSITIONES FOR THE CLOTH TO EXTEND AND BEHIND SAID FIRST ROLLER, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY OF SAID FIRST ROLLER BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIONS, SAID FIRST ROLLER BEING LONGITUDINALLY CENTERED BETWEEN THE EXTREMES OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE, LATERAL DRAW ROLLERS, MEANS MOUNTING SAID DRAW ROLLERS ON SAID CARRIAGE POSITIONED FOR THE CLOTH PASSING BEHIND SAID FIRST ROLLER TO EXTEND FRICTIONALLY BETWEEN SAID DRAW ROLLERS SO THAT CLOTH DRAWN BY SAID DRAW ROLLERS TO A SUPPORT BELOW THEM DURING RECIPROCATION OF SAID CARRIAGE IS LAPPED SAID MEANS MOUNTING SAID DRAW ROLLERS INCLUDING PRESSURE MEANS PRESSING ONE DRAW ROLLER AGAINST THE OTHER SO AS TO DRAW SAID CLOTH FRICTIONALLY THEREBETWEEN AND ADJUSTABLE SO AS TO VARY THE PRESSURE 